Home Sweet Home Veterinary Housecalls

On November 23, 2015, I put my beautiful black Standard Poodle, Gesila who was 15 years 3 months. Called Dr. Dawn Ziegler of Home Sweet Home to find out how we would go about the process. She was so kind and informative at the time. When the time came to make the call, I knew exactly what to expect. Dr. Ziegler came in to my home so quiet and she made me feel peaceful thru my tears. I didn’t think I could be with her at the time, but found it just became very natural and held her to the end in my arms. Low lighting, the Christmas lights on the small tree, TCM on the television with a old Lucy Ball movie on. and Ges on her blanket on the sofa. Dr. Ziegler made it perfect for both of us… thank you so much for your service, and helping me help my long time friend cross the Rainbow Bridge. I will never forget your kindness and support during this sad time for me… Sorrento Valley Pet came and collected the remains with in 15 minutes of her passing. They were again so helpful. Sorrento Valley said they had never seen a Standard Poodle in such beautiful condition for her age. I felt good about that. I had her remains back on Wednesday Nov.25^th. Ges was home for the holiday. The perfect way to end her perfect good life… Bless you all who were so good to me.

Just last week we had to put our baby girl Flee to rest. Our kitty was almost 22 and within the last 6 months, she was really fading fast. How do you finally decide its the right thing to do?
She really never went to the Vet, so we didn’t even want to take her out of the house, so we started searching for in-​home care. It didn’t take us long to find Dr. Dawn, and make the call. She was first and foremast very, very sincere. Her attention to detail and gentle words was completely soothing to my total breakdown and sobbing. She offered several options from being in the room with her to what to expect and what we wanted to do after it was over. I just got a note in the mail with the utmost sincere sympathy and kind words from her, I started balling all over again! The name of her company is perfect for what you get in return.

Dr Dawn is an exceptionally wonderful veterinarian and human. She is kind and caring and makes you feel like you are the only appointment she has all day. She cares for our two dogs and cat and we couldn’t be happier.

Yesterday, I asked Dr. Dawn Ziegler to help my favorite cat, G’Kar transition to the next world. I didn’t want to put him through the stress of going to a vet’s office, where he would be euthanized on a cold, steel table in a sterile environment. Dr. Ziegler responded to my call immediately and fit G’Kar into her busy schedule. She has a lovely, warm personality that exudes compassion for animals and people alike. She helped us dispel any doubts we had about letting him go at that time. My husband and I agree that through Home Sweet Home, we were able to give him the death he deserved, as he loved us so much in his 17-​year life. It’s comforting also to watch Dr. Ziegler gently place your animal into her basket and wrap him/​her up to be taken to the cemetery/​cremation site. You will never see that at a regular vet’s office. I am grateful to Dr. Ziegler, and to all the Unilocalers who previously recommended her.

I recently had to put my Bella, my cat of 21 yrs, to rest. I called Dawn as a referral from one of my clients… It was an absolute Godsend! She has an amazing energy that makes you feel safe. Its hard enough to make that decision for your pet, but after it was all done, I felt such a sense of peace .I attribute that to Dawn coming over. Such a gentle and loving yet practical professional. As a hairstylist for many years, it’s a blessing to share with others who need to do the right thing for their loved animals as well. Thank you so much, Dr. Dawn!

My experience with Dr. Ziegler is still very fresh, it had happened on this Monday and so it is very hard to talk about. She is amazingly kind and empathetic and is so good at dealing with a death in your family. Our story is so similar to a lot of peoples on here. Old kitty, and it was her time. Didn’t want to make her go through it so we called Home Sweet Home and she rearranged some appointments to come help since we were low on time. I 100% recommend using Home Sweet Home. She even sent us a sweet condolence card. I will come back later and emphasize some things when I can talk about it. But she is gentle, she walks you through it, and is so kind and so empathetic. We would have her be our Vet for our crate afraid other kitties but she is currently not taking more permanent patients. We are so thankful for her in our hard situation.

It was June 26^th, 2014, when I contacted Dr. Ziegler, tearfully. as my cat, wo lived with me for 13 years had reached a time of his sweet, purring life that had no longer quality, but became painful for him and for me. Dr. Ziegler came to the house. She was so very compassionate and caring. My son, Jenny, his wife and my grand daughter came as well, as they loved my little Beau. I was having a total melt down. He was outside in the garden on his favorite lounge, surrounded by a fountain and flowers. Little hummingbirds sucking their necktar … but I went inside crying my heart out. My son stayed with me, while Jenny and my granddaughter were with Beau and Dr. Ziegler, who injected a transqualizer. he was dozing, I was told, when the final injection made him go to sleep. She hugged me when she came in with the basket that held the remains of my sweet cat, covered with a blanket. She was to take him for cremation. It was a total different experiene from the ones I had before at a Vet’s office. It eased my conscience, but not the pain, that still remains as I write this. I would highly recommend Dr. Ziegler.

Dr Dawn is so compassionate and caring Im recommending her to everyone! I had to put my Malamute/​Shepard/​Wolf to sleep — My First Dog– and I was in shambles not knowing what to expect with euthanasia ect… Literally Dr. Dawn treated him like he was her own pet. She took her time– cared to ask about how I was feeling — she waited and gave me time to say goodbye– she did everything she could to make it less painful for me and my dog. She gave him the first «feel good» shot and he just calmly laid down on his bed like he was ready for a nap and that was it! I had been having nightmares about watching some random person throw my dead dog in the back of their car and haul my baby off to some facility to be cremated. With Dr. Dawn she tucked him in a warm blanket and safely placed him in her car — an personally escorted him like he was hers. She is remarkably sweet-​caring-​and compassionate. What a Wonderful Wonderful Beautiful Person !!!

I tell everyone I know, and many I don’t (like here) about Dawn. She is an absolute ANGEL. We had to put my beloved cat down and I hunted HIGH AND LOW for someone to do it on my CAT’s schedule, and not their own. She was SO giving of her time (spent hours letting us prepare and grieve). She is the best and super fairly priced to boot. She even does chiropractic on the animals!
CALL DAWN, you will be so blessed.
Deb Z
Dearly departed Lido-cat’s momma
La Mesa

I concur heartily with all the reviews. Dr. Dawn Ziegler is amazing, caring, professional, patient. I’m disabled and Miss Kitty was skittish. No way were we going to a vet’s office. But my furry friend was old and I felt the need to prepare. When I saw Miss Kitty failing on Sunday evening it was a godsend to be able to leave a message for Dawn. No need to scramble or panic or find help to get us both to a vet office. She had come a few months earlier and we had a plan.
Dawn returned my call first thing monday morning and early that afternoon Miss Kitty went peacefully in her familiar surroundings. Dawn came, joining us in my bedroom. As Miss Kitty relaxed from the first injection Dawn moved her to my lap, where she would normally be were it not for the discomfort. When I gave the ok, she gave the second injection. Again, when I gave the ok, Dawn gently took Miss Kitty and placed her in the basket she had brought, covering her so only her little face showed, and took her for cremation and scattering. (I later learned she had covered the kitty face before greeting my room mate, who had not wanted to be present. In these quiet ways Dr. Ziegler takes care of both her patients and their families.)
The day, and days to follow, would have been terrifying without Miss Kitty’s «Dr. Dawn».

Extremely professional and very caring. Had the tough decision of putting my pet kitty down and could not ask for a better and more gentle doctor than Dr. Ziegler. Highly recommended if your pet needs any veterinary services.

Dr. Dawn is the nicest, and most thorough and knowledgeable vet I know. Her expertise is a great balance between traditional and holistic medicine and she gives you all the information you need to know to make the decision that’s best for your pet. She has discovered range of motion issues in my dogs that other vets never told me about because they didn’t perform exams as thoroughly as she does. I love that she does acupuncture and chiropractic as well; both of which are much better received if your pet is at home where they are calm and relaxed. Her prices are reasonable and she tries to get you in as soon as she can. I only wish there were more vets like her for when my dogs need to go to a full service facility for x-​rays and surgery. Thanks Dr. Dawn!

I began having Dr. Dawn come to look at my basset hound about 4 years ago, for routine check ups, minor problems, and now to keep her basset hound bones happy. Now she has been seeing my boxer puppy for the past year of her life, and I couldn’t trust any vet more! She understands my concerns for my dogs’ health, and educates me on the best ways that I can keep my dogs healthy and happy. She genuinely cares about my pets, and they really don’t mind seeing her! If you want a vet that REALLY cares about your pet’s health, then Home Sweet Home is the way to go!

Dr. Dawn Ziegler is San Diego’s «Pet Whisper». We recently had to put our dog down due to aggressive cancer. We were told that Arianna had two weeks the most left of life in her. Her last week left with us, she stopped eating, stopped drinking water. Then one night she had collapsed. It was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make and one of the saddest day of my life. Our family came to an agreement that Arianna will be placed at peace in the home she knows, in her basket, surrounded by those who loved her.
I have no regrets having Dr. Dawn Ziegler in our home. She is amazing. Very warm and professional. Her presence was peaceful and soothing. Dr. Dawn sat next to Arianna, gently rubbed her belly (her favorite spot) as she explained the whole process to our family.
We were never in a rush to say our good-​byes. Each of us had taken turns giving her kisses, strokes, hugs and last words.
I held Arianna during the process with my head resting lightly on hers. We are so grateful on how peaceful the whole process was. Dr. Dawn treated «my baby» as one of her own. When the process finished, we again said our good-​byes, gave her kisses, hugs and felt at peace. and for the first time since being diagnosed with cancer, our Arianna looked at ease. Thank you so much. You will never be forgotten.

I could not be happier with Dr. Zeigler! I adopted a cat 2 ½ weeks ago. He seemed to be in good condition but he had fleas and because of the fleas he had
tapeworms. Tom is the epitome of the ‘scaredy cat’! He is afraid of everything! I tried to get him to the vets and could not even get him into a carrier – he hid under the bed for 4 hours just from trying to get him into it. Dr. Dawn came today. She was wonderful. Tom was less than cooperative but she still managed to give him a complete examination (happily to find out he is in good health) and give him the worming pill. She was kind and warm and thorough. I was so happy with her. I would recommend Dr. Dawn unconditionally!!!

I will forever be thankful and grateful that my little dogs had by far, the best care and treatment (immunization and check-​ups) from Dr Ziegler.
This lady is the BEST, so so caring, professional, on time and a lady who truly loves and knows everything there is to know about dogs, regardless of breed. I knew my dogs were always in good hands when they were in her hands. Pity I had to move to another city, otherwise my little ones would still be seen by her. Dr Ziegler’s prices are very reasonable, and having a vet visit you at home, is so much more convenient, especially if you have more than 1 dog.
Zsa Zsa, Gizmo and Bono thank you from the bottom of their little hearts, as do I. Thank you for all you do and for your kindness, love, knowledge and gentleness. We will all miss you very much. :)

I really can’t say enough good things about Dr. Dawn. She’s a true rare find — someone who is professional, caring, helpful, and willing to go the extra mile to make sure your pet gets the care she deserves.
When I first adopted my dog, I was kind of clueless with tons of questions and unsure of what I should and should not do. Dawn always answered each and every one of my nervous-​mom questions with thoughtful responses and all the patience in the world. You don’t have to deal with a front desk receptionist or rude nurse when calling. Dawn answers all your questions herself. Whenever my dog has gotten sick, Dr. Dawn presents options — not just unnecessary & expensive tests. I can’t really say the same about any other vet that I have ever used. The only downside is that her hours are not as extensive as if you went to a larger practice, but you don’t even have to leave your house so that has to help!
We’ve since moved from the area and found an OK vet. I still sometimes ask Dr. Dawn questions and she’s happy to answer. We miss her so much!

I recently had to put my 14 year old kitty down due to kidney failure. It was probably the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make and the saddest day of my life. I didn’t want her last moments to be stressful so my regular vet gave me Home Sweet Home’s number.
Let me say that Dr. Dawn Ziegler is amazing. Her presence at my home was so calming and peaceful. She explained the whole process and let me have time with my dear kitty before we got started. My kitty jumped off my lap and found a sunny spot to lay down in. Dawn was willing to go to her and let her just go to sleep in the sun as she loved to do.
I was surprised how calm and peaceful the whole process was. By the time my kitty had passed, I felt a strange peace come over me and Dawn assured me that I had done the right thing. She was nothing but caring with my kitty.
Dawn made a sad, horrible experience bearable. Thank you so much Dawn!

Dawn is a saint. Absolutely one of the kindest people I’ve ever met.
I had to put my kitty to sleep, and I did not want to take her back to the vet to do it. I found Dawn while searching for a vet that did at-​home euthanasia. I read the reviews here, and knew she was the person I was looking for.
It was one of the saddest days of my life to put to sleep my dear sweet kitty. But Dawn made it ok. She explained all the procedures, told us about all the possibilities, and took her time with everything. She was so gentle with my cat – just like I would be. My cat passed so calmly, so peacefully, sitting on her stoop looking outside like she loved to do. It was so sad to experience, but yet beautiful at the same time.
I am so happy I was able to give my cat the opportunity to pass on without pain, without fear, in the company of those that loved her. Dawn is the reason I was able to give that last gift to my cat. I will be forever grateful.

I recently was riding around on my sportbike in Mission Beach and saw Dawn’s SUV with the «Home Sweet Home» contact information in the back window. I repeated the number in my head until I found a place to pull off the road and enter it into my cell phone, because it sounded too good to be true. Fortunately for my cat and I, it proved to be very true!
I would just like to start by saying that Dawn Ziegler was nothing but friendly, helpful, knowledgeable & caring concerning my 8 year old cat, Bebop.
My cat hates the Vet’s Office, probably more than most cats. The ride to and from never used to be any better & is impossible now that I only own a sportbike and no car! With that being said, this recent visit from Dawn to give my cat a checkup had to be the most well-​spent-​money, 100% perfect solution to my situation!
I can’t express how much easier the visit was, and how much happier my cat is that she only had to go as far as my living room for a checkup. I’ve already recommended Home Sweet Home to some of my riding buddies, and I recommend it to anyone who reads this, even if you HAVE a car.
For any regular checkups in the future I will be calling Home Sweet Home.